Are you a sushi lover? Don’t you just love the fresh fish combined with the sweet and sour chewy rice of the nigiri sushi? The combination of chewy rice and delicate fish is so hard to describe, yet so good. But how much do you know about this amazing Japanese cuisine, nigiri sushi? Have you heard of the interesting origin story behind nigiri sushi? Want to know how nigiri sushi has become the world-famous Japanese cuisine?

In this article, you can find out all about the delicious nigiri sushi as well as nigiri sushi machines . You can find information on the interesting origin story and the different types of nigiri sushi there are.

What is Nigiri Sushi?

For those of you that don’t know what nigiri sushi is? Nigiri sushi is a simple dish with fresh raw fish combined with perfectly cooked and flavored sushi rice. This Japanese dish is considered a delicacy that is suitable for people of all ages. Due to the variety of different kinds of toppings available, you can easily find the nigiri sushi that suits your liking. Though nigiri sushi is considered to be one of the symbols of Japanese culture and traditional cuisine, the discovery of nigiri sushi is rather different and out of coincidence.

What’s Nigiri Sushi’s Origin

The nigiri sushi or sometimes known as the Edomae sushi was first discovered during the Edo period (1600-1868) in Edo(ancient Tokyo). According to history, there have been multiple incidents of the idea of nigiri or pressing and molding sushi been written in journals and literature, as the magical forms of molding sushi. It was known as the edomae sushi because edomae can be literally translated to “In front of Edo” and since they were invented in Edo with the unique techniques used and often times used fishes that came from the Tokyo Bay in front of Edo, nigiri is known as edomae sushi. Though being mentioned in books, the nigiri sushi was actually invented by Hanaya Yobei and Sakaiya Matsugorou separately, they each created their own type of nigiri sushi in Edo.

Hanaya Yobei: The Founder of Nigiri Sushi

Hanaya Yobei is often considered the founder of Japanese nigiri sushi. In the beginning, he was just a sushi peddler, moving from place to place selling oshizushi. However, Yobei decided to open his own sushi stall in from of the Ryogoku Ekoin in 1810, this stall was located between two famous temples where there were lots of crowds. With the stall, the customer can easily see Yobei make the sushi. His stall became very popular, and in order to accommodate the large crowd of customers with speed, Yobei decided to create the nigiri sushi that can be made much faster. Unlike the oshizushi that needs to be pressed into a box for fermentation, the edomae sushi uses fresh fish or fish already pressed and seasoned and combine with the vinegar rice with hand. Out of convenience, the nigiri sushi was invented. In addition, Yobei also created other ways to serve the sushi with marinade the fish with soy soil or boiling the fish in order to extend the fish’s freshness.

Fun fact, the nigiri sushi that was made back then was twice the size of the nigiri sushi we eat nowadays! Why? In order to ensure the customer would be full and finish faster, serving a larger portion will ensure both and bring in more customers.

Nigirizushi is?

When searching online, you might have seen the word “nigirizushi” before. Many of you might be wondering what is the difference between nigiri sushi and nigirizushi. They are exactly the same thing. It is a Japanese grammatical inflection, where many words would slightly change the pronunciation based on the word placed in front of it. Another example of nigirizushi’s inflection would be makizushi. Either nigirizushi or nigiri sushi is correct.

Types of Nigiri Sushi:

You’d be surprised by the different types of nigiri sushi there are. Often times, types of nigiri sushi are categorized by the fish or the topping (neta). Let us take a look at the different types of nigiri sushi there are:

The order of the different types of sushi listed below is following the order that is recommended for eating different types of nigiri sushi at a sushi restaurant.

White fish or lighter topping

It is recommended that one should start eating nigiri sushi with lighter taste fish. This way other types of nigiri sushi with strong taste won’t overlap and cover the lighter taste fish. Examples include sea bream, flounder and other white fish meat.

Fatty fish

Now let us move to stronger in taste type of nigiri sushi. Often times this type of nigiri sushi include fish with more fatty tissues. Fatty fish include; Tuna with medium or high-fatty section, salmon or yellowtail.

Shiny type of fish

You must be wondering what is a shiny type of nigiri sushi? Shiny type of nigiri means the fish itself has silver or shiny skin. For example horse mackerel, mackerel, pilchard, and pike.

Squid nigiri

Squid nigiri sushi sometime can be served with the white meat fish in the beginning.

Shellfish and similar type of sushi

Scallops are a very popular type of nigiri sushi. Often times the sushi chef would include the season shellfish into the sushi course. Some of the shellfish might be cooked first for a better texture and taste.

Crustacean nigiri sushi

Depending on the course and season, some might include shrimps, prawns or crab meat nigiri sushi.

Stronger taste sushi

Stronger taste sushi includes conger eel with the sauce.

Last but not least: Gunkanmaki

Even though Gunkanmaki has the word maki(roll) in it, it is considered nigiri sushi. Gunkanmaki directly translated to mean warship roll, it is named this due to appearances. Gunkanmaki is usually soft or loose ingredients like uni (sea urchin) or ikura (salmon roe) placed on top of the sushi rice and being enclosed with a sheet of nori. This type of nigiri sushi can also include ingredients like natto or corn mixed with mayonnaise.

Curious to know the most popular types of nigiri sushi in Japan? Check it out top 10 popular types of nigiri sushi in Japan!

What is a Nigiri Sushi Machine?

The Nigiri Sushi Machine’s versatility is a significant advantage. It can hold a variety of rice types and sizes, allowing you to make a variety of nigiri sushi styles. The nigiri sushi machine can handle standard nigiri, pressed nigiri, and even custom-shaped nigiri, responding to a wide range of customer requests.

The Nigiri Sushi Machine not only optimizes output but also improves overall kitchen efficiency. By automating time-consuming procedures, your staff will be able to focus on other vital elements of the business. Tasks such as ingredient preparation and customer service while the nigiri sushi machine handles the busy work. This results in speedier service, happier consumers, and better profits for your company, not to mention excellent health and hygiene standards thanks to using the nigiri sushi machine.

Purchasing a nigiri sushi machine is a good investment for any sushi restaurant or catering business looking to increase output and efficiency. If you would like to go through our nigiri sushi machine listing, please feel free to do so!

Gochisou-samadeshita

Now you know the recommended order of eating different types of nigiri sushi at a Japanese sushi-ya! You have also learned about the history and origin of the delicious Japanese dish nigiri sushi. The simple yet delicate nigiri sushi is a dish that is loved by people all over the world. The freshness and unique texture of the fish combined with the flavorful sushi rice will make you want to eat one after another.

If you ever have a chance to come to Japan, please do try out some of the different types of sushi mentioned above. Enjoy the food and the atmosphere!
Curious to know more about sushi? Check out our other articles, such as how to eat sushi properly, or find out the difference between Japanese sushi and Western sushi.

Professional Quality Nigiri Sushi Machines

Top Sushi is a provider of high-class Japanese sushi machines. We offer a wide variety of sushi machines and sushi production accessories. If you are interested in any sushi machines or related machines, please feel free to contact us. We offer one on one consultation to ensure you can find the best sushi machine.

Regardless of whether you wish to make nigiri sushi, maki sushi or even onigiri, Top Sushi has what you need.

The delight of having delicious professional tasting sushi at all times is no longer a dream. Whether you are looking to try making sushi regularly at home or intend to start a sushi business, we can help you find a nigiri sushi machine that is best suited for your needs.

Nigiri Sushi requires a delicate and consistent touch when being assembled. Having the right measurement of rice to salt to fish and other ingredients is crucial to making delicious nigiri sushi. The nigiri sushi machine is able to perfectly layout portions of delicious sushi rice which can then be covered with the ingredient of your choice.

Our website provides you with all the information you may want on different kinds of sushi and also features a dedicated listing of high quality nigiri sushi machines. If you would like to browse our nigiri sushi machine listing, please feel free to look through our nigiri sushi machine lineup.